Ankylosing spondylitis

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Early signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may include pain and stiffness in your lower back and hips, especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity.

These symptoms may come on so gradually that you don't notice them at first. Over time, symptoms may worsen, improve or stop completely at irregular intervals.

The areas most commonly affected are:

  • The joint between the base of your spine and your pelvis
  • The vertebrae in your lower back
  • The places where your tendons and ligaments attach to bones, mainly in your spine, but sometimes along the back of your heel
  • The cartilage between your breastbone and ribs
  • Your hip and shoulder joints

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have chronic pain and stiffness in your lower back and hips, or if deep breathing makes your chest hurt. Seek immediate medical advice if you develop eye pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision.

Causes Definition

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References
  1. Braveman SE. Ankylosing spondylitis. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50112-7&isbn=978-1-4160-4007-1&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50112-7--cesec5&uniqId=228570791-3. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  2. Yu DT. Clinical manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  3. Mercier LT. Ankylosing spondylitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0225&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1090462943&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0225&uniqId=228720493-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0225. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  4. Yu DT. Treatment and prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  5. Inman RD. Clinical subsets of the spondyloarthropathies: Ankylosing spondylitis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50291-3--cesec29&isbn=978-1-4160-2805-5&sid=1090462943&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50291-3--cesec33&uniqId=228720493-4#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50291-3--cesec33. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
  6. Van der Linden SM, et al. Ankylosing spondylitis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10070-1&isbn=978-1-4160-3285-4&sid=1090462943&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10070-1&uniqId=228720493-4#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10070-1. Accessed Nov. 30, 2010.
DS00483 Feb. 3, 2011

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